What historical factor was responsible for the drastic reduction of the Wood Bison’s traditional territory?
Answer
Unregulated slaughter during the late 19th century.
The severe contraction of the historical range occupied by the Wood Bison is directly attributed to human activity preceding formal conservation measures. During the latter half of the 19th century, unrestricted hunting practices led to what is described as unregulated slaughter. This massive loss of population resulted in a drastic shrinking of the territory they occupied, reducing them to isolated remnants until intensive conservation strategies could be implemented decades later.
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